Using GSA Schedules Is Simple
The Multiple Award Schedule
A Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), also known as a
Federal Supply Schedule and a GSA Schedule, is one of
the most powerful procurement tools available to you.
Essentially, a MAS is a listing of awarded contractors
that can be used by all federal entities to achieve their
missions. GSA awards contracts to responsible companie
that offer commercial items falling within the general
descriptions of the Schedules. GSA determines that
prices are fair and reasonable by comparing the prices
or discounts that a company offers the government with
the prices or discounts that the company offers its best
commercial customers. This negotiation objective is
commonly known as “most favored customer” pricing.
Interested ordering agencies simply develop a Request
for Quotations (RFQ) outlining the scope of work and
requirements to be performed, and invite Schedule
contractors to respond with proposals. Contractors’
responses are usually split into two parts: technical
and price. Ordering agencies then determine which
contractor is the best value (see “How to Place Your
Order” on page 7).
It’s That Easy
The MAS program mirrors commercial buying practices
more than any other procurement process in the federal
government. GSA provides customers access to
professional services at volume discount pricing on a
direct delivery basis. This means you’ll experience shorter
procurement lead times, lower administrative costs, and
reduced internal staff hours devoted to obtaining these
services. The MAS program was designed with you, the
federal customer, in mind, and it provides a vast array of
commercial items and services that can be purchased
quickly and easily. Not only does your agency receive fast,
direct access to industry leaders in the area of travel
services, but you can also obtain many other services
and products through other Schedules as well.
Cutting the Red Tape
When placing orders under a Multiple Award Schedule,
you do not need to synopsize your requirements, set aside
for small business, or make a separate determination of
fair and reasonable pricing. GSA has already complied
with these requirements and determined that prices are
fair and reasonable. By utilizing the Schedules, you can
avoid the stress and work normally associated with
conducting your own procurement.
It Never Hurts to Ask for Extra Savings
The price reduction clause allows contractors to offer you
a price reduction on any service at any time. The reduction
can be based on individual circumstance such as ordering
a large volume of services. Agencies may negotiate price
reductions, and Schedule contractors are free to offer
spot discount pricing.
Flexible Purchasing Options with Blanket
Purchase Agreements
If you are dealing with repetitive buys, Blanket Purchase
Agreements (BPAs) are for you. A BPA is a simplified
method of filling recurring needs for services and
products, while leveraging your buying power by taking
advantage of quantity discounts, thereby saving
administrative time and reducing paperwork. A BPA
can be thought of as an “account” established by you
(the customer) with a Schedule contractor. By setting up a
BPA, you save time and resources. Simplify your ordering
by processing a BPA once and then use it as your agency’s
needs occur.
With a MAS BPA, you can order as little as you want, as
much as you want, and as often as you want. You are not
restricted by any dollar limitations when placing orders
under a MAS BPA. Also, a BPA can be set up for your field
offices across the nation to use, allowing them to
participate in your BPA and place orders directly with
Schedule contractors. In doing so, your entire agency
reaps the benefits of additional discounts negotiated
into your own BPA.
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When establishing BPAs, ordering
offices shall –
1. Inform contractors in the request (based on the
agency’s requirement) if a single BPA or multiple
BPAs will be established, and indicate the basis that
will be used for selecting the contractors to be
awarded the BPAs.
a. Single BPA: Generally, a single BPA should be
established when the ordering office can define
the tasks to be ordered under the BPA and establish
a firm-fixed price or ceiling price for individual
tasks or services to be ordered. When this occurs,
authorized users may place the order directly under
the established BPA when the need for service
arises. The Schedule contractor that represents
the best value should be awarded the BPA.
b. Multiple BPAs: When the ordering office determines
multiple BPAs are needed to meet its requirements,
it should determine which contractors can meet any
technical qualifications before establishing the
BPAs. When multiple BPAs are established, the
authorized users must follow the procedures above
and then place the order with the Schedule
contractor that represents the best value.
2. Review BPAs periodically: Such reviews shall be
conducted at least annually. The purpose of the review
is to determine whether the BPA still represents the
best value.
A BPA cannot exceed the contractor’s Schedule contract
period. You should always perform an annual review of
your BPA to determine whether the BPA is still a “best
value.” Agencies can locate the guidelines for establishing
a BPA in the section titled “How to Place Your Order” on
page 7. For your convenience, we have also included a
sample BPA (see page 14). For further guidance on
establishing a BPA, visit our FSS Center for Acquisition
Excellence Campus at www.gsa.gov/schedules.
To t a l Solutions through Contractor
Te a m i n g A r r a n g e m e n t s
For complex tasks, Contractor Teaming Arrangements
may be desirable from both government and industry
perspectives. A Contractor Te a m i n g Arrangement allows
two or more GSA Schedule contractors to work together
to meet your agency requirements, allowing them to
compete for orders for which they may not qualify
independently. Contractors on the same Schedule, or
across multiple Schedules, can team up. By using
Contractor Teaming Arrangements, contractors can
complement each other’s unique capabilities while offering
government agencies the best turnkey solutions, based
on a combination of performance, cost and delivery of
acquired services. Yo u c a n b ene f i t from using Contractor
Te a m i n g Arrangements by buying a total solution, rather
than making separate buys from various contractors.
See FAR 9.6 for more information or visit
www.gsa.gov/schedules.
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